Electric shock: pool may have to limit hours over power bill

THE electricity bill for Ballina Riverside Swimming Pool jumped by 52% in August 2022, according to new figures released by the local pool committee.

Pool manager, Paddy Collins admitted this massive hike was a “huge shock to the system” and will have implications on how the outdoor heated swimming pool will be run next year.

“If ESB bills keep on increasing, some businesses will close. The rising electricity bills will have a massive impact on the pool. We have to heat a huge volume of water.

“We will have to be careful about when we are going to open and close. I can’t see us opening in September next year.

“We will have to be tighter on our hours and will have to look at how we are running the place. Everything will have to be re-evaluated next year.

“I am involved in other sports clubs, which are struggling as well. Purchasing LED lighting involves a huge outlay for clubs.”

Paddy believes community run facilities and sports clubs will need to receive an energy grant to defray the spiralling energy costs.

He warned public swimming pools and leisure centres that are open all year round will also be very badly hit by rising ESB bills.

In total, 10,649 swimmers went through the main gate over a four month period this year – a drop of 4,380 on last year’s record number of 15,029.

This included 1,430 in June, 4,419 in July, 4,800 in August and 270 in September. Last year, 1,298 swimmers used the public sessions in June, 9,709 in July and 4,022 in August.

Paddy attributed the drop in attendances in July 2022 compared to the previous July to the rise in petrol and diesel prices that resulted in an estimated 25% drop in trade for local businesses.

He recalled the spectacular weather in August 2022 resulted in numbers attending the public sessions trebling in comparison to the previous August.

The pool’s overall takings were slightly up due to the massive increase in usage outside the public sessions.

This included for birthday parties, swimming classes in July, Swim for a Mile in August, Irish Water Safety Swim Week when 70 swimmers learned how to swim, school tours, the Southill Hub, Limerick Innercity Group, Foroige groups and a bus load of Ukrainians children.

East Clare Paddlers also conducted safety courses in the kayaks in the pool, learning skills like how to save someone if they overturned in a kayak.

Some days the pool was opened for between ten and twelve hours and often stayed open until 9pm to cater for the demands of various groups and swimmers availing of three sessions from 12 noon to 6.30.

Paddy was very happy with how many people supported the pool this year and praised the “fantastic” work of his ten lifeguards and the assistance provided by Tipperary County Council, provide the facility and are responsible for the upkeep of the water and the heating system.

The local committee are responsible for all the cleaning, painting and the cost of hiring trained lifeguards. Community Employment Scheme worker, Pat O’Riardon also helps to keep the pool well maintained. Paddy oversaw the operation of the pool with the help of Lisa O’Sullivan.

“The pool is bringing a few thousand people into Ballina and Killaloe during the summer months. They are using the restaurants, pubs and takeaways, shops. All the local businesses are benefiting from these visitors.

“We send people to go on a boat trip with James Whelan and he sends visitors down to us.

“The pool has a big spin-off for other businesses. We were the only pool that didn’t close during the Covid-19 restrictions. Lifeguards learned a lot about sanitation and dealing with big numbers safely from implementing Covid-19 restrictions.

“Parents were very happy with the individual three public sessions,” he said.

The pool is one of three outdoor heated pools in Munster as Cork is the only other county with two similar facilities.

Built in 1973, the pool opened on August 3, 1974 when Noel O’Donoghue from Nenagh Swimming Club was the first lifeguard and the swimming instructor was Killaloe legend, Peter Lacey. “

At the time, Noel used to cycle out from Nenagh to take up his lifeguarding duties.

Following the appointment of Joe MacGrath as the new Tipperary chief executive officer and the elevation of Deputy Alan Kelly as Environment Minister, major upgrading works were completed in the pool.

A new heating system was installed comprising a heat exchange unit at the rear, which has proven to be very successful. The pool is sandwiched in between a new modern all-weather soccer pitch and a refurbished playground facility.